Summer Signings: what do we need? who do you want?

[Craig_H]

He also can't play every game can he. Assuming Degen is moved on we need another RB

Why not use Carragher for the few games that Arbeloa cant play - it'd give Agger more playing time too which would please him. Likewise, Darby can be given a chance. Insua has looked upto scratch at LB, but we'd have never known if he hadnt been tried.

[wiw]

Why not use Carragher for the few games that Arbeloa cant play - it'd give Agger more playing time too which would please him. Likewise, Darby can be given a chance. Insua has looked upto scratch at LB, but we'd have never known if he hadnt been tried.

and what if Arbeloa gets injured? I would rather not ever play Carra at right back and I get the feeling Rafa and Carra feel the same way I would like to see Darby given a chance as well, but if we're going to be successful we need squad depth and another RB is needed imo

[dww]

Why not use Carragher for the few games that Arbeloa cant play - it'd give Agger more playing time too which would please him. Likewise, Darby can be given a chance. Insua has looked upto scratch at LB, but we'd have never known if he hadnt been tried.

I think the thing is that Rafa trusted Insua and so clearly feels he is ready to play - he had several opportunities to play Derby and didn't indicating he doesn't feel the same. I also think that the limitations in attacking positions, especially with regards to crossing of Arbeloa could be improved upon. I certainly wouldn't be looking to spend £10m on a right back though. I think it would improve the squad though to have a different option in the squad there.

[Craig_H]

and what if Arbeloa gets injured? I would rather not ever play Carra at right back and I get the feeling Rafa and Carra feel the same way I would like to see Darby given a chance as well, but if we're going to be successful we need squad depth and another RB is needed imo

I dont dispute that, but people are talking about Glen Johnson and spending £10m on a right back. Johnson wouldnt be a reserve and there's more pressing areas for us to sort out.

[Craig_H]

Havent we got an agreement to bring back Barragan for about half a million?

That'd be the better solution IMO.

[dww]

Havent we got an agreement to bring back Barragan for about half a million?

That'd be the better solution IMO.

I thought he left because he didn't like England - if so it seems an option that is probably not going to happen. I agree though that looking for a less expensive option is the way to go.

[wiw]

I dont dispute that, but people are talking about Glen Johnson and spending £10m on a right back. Johnson wouldnt be a reserve and there's more pressing areas for us to sort out.

Yeah in that sense I agree mate..but we could still do with another right back. Like Dave says another option rather than a £10m Johnson type

[Craig_H]

I'll tell you my worry wiw - we can go and buy someone for £4m or whatever, and inevitably, that person will be a backup and their ability will be in keeping with that of a backup. I dont know whether Darby is ready or not, but if we sign someone mediocre for £4m or whatever it is, we'll be doing exactly the thing which prevents us from having the money to sign 'top class' players.

I've said it before - if the option is a mediocre £4m player or an untried kid who'll cost us nothing, it's the latter for me every day of the week.

And let's be honest, it's rare that you'll get a genuinely good player for peanuts. It can happen for sure, but it's very hard to find.

[wiw]

I see what you're saying man..by the looks of things Darby isn't ready in Rafa's eyes which is a shame. You're right it is rare, but Arbeloa is the obvious example if we're talking right backs..bought for peanuts and has improved and grown into the role.

Whoever we do sign though, from past signings they're rarely "the finished article" by any means..Rafa always seems to buy with a view to imrpoving them and moulding them to do exactly what he wants (within whatever system).

I really think this summer is going to be different..I mean Rafa has full control, we have a strong, together squad that just needs tweaking slightly. We seem to have a decent enough kitty and he must've learnt from the Keane mistake.



If you consider that Voronin will pay for a right back, then the rest can be spent on perhaps;



Barry - £8m - can cover CM, LB and LM and is English...an absolute no brainer really

That leaves, what, £20m + sales for 1 or 2 attacking players?

[dww]

You can often get some pretty good players in the £4m-£6m bracket in terms of defenders though - such as Arbeloa himself. I think we are a big enough club to attract ambitious players who think they could get past Arbeloa into the team rather than having to settle for someone who is limited to perpetual bench sitter. I also think that having a different style of player offers a benefit of itself even if that player isn't necessarily an improvement.

While I see your point to a degree about bringing in a limited player instead of playing untested players I think there is a danger of putting in a liability. I'd trust Rafa's judgment about whether a young player is ready and if he isn't then it doesn't help anyone to expose one to first team football and dent his confidence.

Obviously I think all of us would prioritise the other signings we want to make.

[Charlie_B]

Goalkeepers, we're set.
Left Backs, we're set.
Centre Backs, assuming Agger stays, we're set. If not, direct replacement.
Right Back; we have Arbeloa, Degen, Carragher and Darby. I'm not sure how I feel about signing a new RB, it all depends on whether Rafa rates Darby as good enough for next season. If he does, we don't need another RB, if he doesn't, we do.

Left Mid; again, sorted with Riera and Babel, and Dossena can back up there if necessary.
Central Mid; Masch, Alonso, Lucas, and if necessary, Gerrard. Also, Plessis who has disappeared...
Right Mid; here is where we need to spend, and spend big really. We have Kuyt who is doing wonderfully, but I definitely think we can improve in that area. Similarly, moving Gerrard out there would weaken the team.
Attacking midfielder; Gerrard has made this position his own, but we could do with some form of back up.
Striker; Torres, Voronin, N'Gog. Definitely need to improve in this area.

[bobbyfallon]

TEAM-----------------------BACK UP


REINA-----------------------CAVALIERI
AURELIO---------------------DOSSANA/INSUA
CARRA-----------------------SAMI
SKRTEL----------------------AGGER
ARBELOA-------------------- DERBY

assuming they all stay at the club then thats not too bad - the only weak link is derby but i dont think its a priority position to invest in if the budget is limited.

ALONSO----------------------LUCAS
MONSTER-----------------SPEARING/PLESSIS

if barry were to come in here he would be an improvement on both lucas and spearing and step into the team in place of monster or alonso to rest them without weakening the team too much.

so barry - 10m approx

KUYT-------------------BENNY
STEVE------------------
REIRA-------------------BABEL

lucas was supposed to be an understudy to gerrard but hasnt really done it so we need someone of genuine class to come in here.

eto'o would probably be the most affordable for say 15m-20m
ideally we would be looking at villa/aguero/ribery but i think hey are out of the price range.

TORRES------------- NGOG/NEMETH

1. for me the priority has to be someone for steves position,

2. and a right winger. kuyt just doesnt excite me but in fairness to him he does a job and has a good season.

3. a midfielder - i believe we have barry in the bag this time.

4. if we have loads of money then go for a right back

eto'o, ribery, barry and rafinha will do rightly

[Craig_H]

Can i also throw into the mix, the fact that Mascherano, if desperately needed, can be a more than adequete RB on the odd occasion. Add to that, the fact that so many people seem to rate Lucas, and should therefore have no problem with Lucas playing CM if Mascher is required to deputise at right back.

[Craig_H]

eto'o, ribery, barry and rafinha will do rightly

Ribery will probably cost about £30m. Add £18m for Eto'o and say £10m for Barry - and it's a total of £58m before we've even mentioned Rafinha.

Go get your piggy bank

[The Erectile Banana]

I'll tell you my worry wiw - we can go and buy someone for £4m or whatever, and inevitably, that person will be a backup and their ability will be in keeping with that of a backup. I dont know whether Darby is ready or not, but if we sign someone mediocre for £4m or whatever it is, we'll be doing exactly the thing which prevents us from having the money to sign 'top class' players.

I've said it before - if the option is a mediocre £4m player or an untried kid who'll cost us nothing, it's the latter for me every day of the week.

And let's be honest, it's rare that you'll get a genuinely good player for peanuts. It can happen for sure, but it's very hard to find.

Agree with this. We've had a highturnover in mediocre right backs since Rafa took over - Josemi, Kromkamp, Degen (well I know he's hardly played but I don't rate him) none of whom were good enough to be first choice RB. I'd rather give young Darby chance than waste £3M/£4M on a player of this level who add no real quality to the squad.